Container



Nov. 22, 1938. H. s. HINKLE 2,137,514

CONTAINER Filed Nov. 2, I936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'lN VENTOR Halli/1mm LS Emile BY L ATTORNEY H. s. HINKLE CONTAINER Filed Nov. 2, 1936 Nov. 22, 1938.

'Z-Sheets-Sheet 2 v v c INVENTOB Hang/115 011 J. i101)? h ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1938 CONTAINER.

Hutchinson S. Hinkle, Bethany, Com, assign: to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of New Jersey -v Application November 2, 1936, Serial No. 108,725

13 Claims.

This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to a container having the body and top closure portions thereof formed from a single blank of paperboard material.

This invention is directed to the provision of an improved container especially adapted for the a packaging of dry granular materials, as well as materials in liquid or semi-liquid condition. The body of the container is of generally tubular form preferably comprising four side wall sections. each sidewall section having an extension which together form a closure for the container. The extensions are preferably integrally secured .to-

gether so as to provide, in effect, a continuous band around the top of the container body. Two of the oppositely arranged extensions are suitably scored to permit the same to be folded inwardly in pyramidal arrangement and in nested relationship, eachinterfolded extension serving as a sup- 2 port for the other. The other two oppositely arranged side wall extensions are adapted to collapse inwardly in pyramidal or tapered relationship over the interfolded extensions. The closure extensions are so cut and formed that they together provide a continuous rib at the top of the container of six-ply paperboard. The container may be sealed by stitching the extensions together or providing a metal ferrule or edging to telescope over the same or, if desired, by providing metal 80 clips to secure the same together. Preferably a line of perforation extends across each of the closure extensions, which permits the upper portion of the closure to be torn off, giving access to the contents. When the upper portion has been 85 torn off, one of the closure extensions may be buckled outwardly to provide a convenient pouring spout for the container. After the desired quantity of contents has been ejected through the pouring spout thus provided, the closure extension forming the pouring spout may be refolded into its original closed position, protecting the contents from contamination.

The container is admirably adapted for the packaging of such products as motor oil, milk and cream, and similar material, where it is desired to provide a sealed container which can be easily opened to permit access to the contents, but when once opened cannot be successfully rescaled without revealing visible evidence of tampering.

The entire container, including the body, the bottom and the closure, may be inexpensively made on automatic machinery from a single blank of paperboard material. The containers are adapted to be nested together for shipment and a storage and thereafter filled and sealed by the user. The container may be made liquid-tight by coating the paperboard blank from which the container is formed with a suitable waterproof or greaseproof coating.

Among the objects of this invention is to provide an improved container of inexpensive construction, which can be shipped and stored in a minimum of space and thereafter filled with contents as needed, and which can be easily and quickly sealed by the user.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved closure integrally formed with the body of the container, which is substantially siftproof and leakproof.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings. 1

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. l is a face view of a blank' from which my improved container may be formed;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofthe blank shown in Fig. 1 partially folded into container-forming position; 0

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the top portion of the container, this view particularly showing the closure-forming portion thereof;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the end closureforming portion partially folded toward container-closing position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper end of the container showing the end closure portion completely folded into container-closing position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the upper end portion of the container showing the container completely sealed by a sealing strip applied to the end closure portion thereof;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of my improved containers arranged in nested position for shipment and storage purposes prior to the insertion of the contents; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of my improved container which has been opened to eject the contents.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the specification and drawings.

My improved container is preferably formed of a single blank of paperboard material comprising a bottom section and side wall sections defining a rectangular shaped body and novel closure-comprising portions adapted to be folded together in interlocked relationship to provide a substantially leakprooi seal for the container. The bottom and side wall sections may be formed in any manner desired so as to provide a strong and durable container bottom and body of gen erally rectangular cross-section.

For the purpose of illustration I have shown in Fig. 1 a paperboard blank which has been suitably cut and scored to form my improved container. The blank generally comprises a bottom section I, front and rear wall sections 2 hinged to the bottom section i along the score lines 3, bottom tabs 4 hinged to the bottom section along the score lines 3, side wall-forming sections 5 and 5a hinged to the front or rear wall section 2 along the score lines 1. Securing flaps 6 and Ba hinged to the opposite front or rear wall section 2 along the score lines 9 are adhesively secured to the side wall sections 5 and 5a respectively to provide a tubular container body having a generally rectangular crosssection.

In assembling the container the bottom tabs 4 are turned inwardly as shown in Fig. 2, and the front and rear wall sections 2 are swung into position substantially at right-angles to the bottom wall section i. The side wall sections 5 and 5a and the securing flaps 8 and 6a are arranged in overlapped relationship and are secured together by glue or suitable adhesive g previously applied either to the side wall sections 5 and 5a or to the securing flaps 6 and 6a. As thus arranged, the bottom tabs 4 seat againstthe inside face of the side wall sections 5 and 5a, forming a container having a rectangular shaped bottom section i and a tubular body section of generally rectangular cross-section. While I have shown for purposes of illustration a container body of generally truncated form to permit nesting of a plurality of containers, it is understood that this invention is not limited to containers of this particular shape, but that containers having bodies of generally four side wallforming sections may be made. It is also understood that containers having any desired form of bottom construction may be formed as desired and I contemplate forming containers having a bottom section provided with bellows fold connections with the side, front and rear wall sections to provide a substantially leakproof and siftproof bottom.

This invention is particularly directed to a novel and improved top closure for containers having a generally rectangular cross-section, which closure can be sealed when the contents have been inserted to provide a substantially leakproof and siftproof top closure. The top closure is integrally formed with the front and rear wall sections 2 and the side wall sections 5 and 5a of the container body. The closure comprises generally a closure section A and a closure section B positioned at opposite ends of the blank. Closure section A comprises a closure fiap 8 hinged either to the front or rear wall section 2 of the body along the score line 29. Side wall closure portions Ill and la are hinged to each of the side wall sections 5 and 5a respectively along the score lines I I. Arcuate shaped score lines l6 and il extend from each end of the respective score lines H, the arcuate score lines l6 and I1 bowing inwardly and merging together into a score line l8 which extends substantially at right-angles to the score line H and continues upwardly to the upper edge of the blank. A score line H formed as a straight line continuation of each of the score lines 1 of the body traverses the top closure-forming portion of the blank and defines with the adjacent arcuate score line l6 and the adjacent continuation score line l8 inwardly foldable wing portions l3 and l3a respectively. Complementary wing portions l5 and l5a extending from the free side edges of the blank are defined by the score lines I! and the continuation score lines l8. Vertically inclined score lines I 9 extending from each end of the score line 29 upwardly to the upper edge of the blank defines the side edges of the closure flap 8. The score lines I9 are inclined inwardly toward one another so as to define triangular portions l2 and We between each of the score lines l9 and the adjacent score line l4 which is a continuation of the body score line I.

The other end of the blank is provided with a closure section B comprising side Wall closure flap 29 hinged to the other front or rear wall section 2 along the score line 2|. Score lines 24 traverse the end closure section of the blank, score lines 24 being in line with and a continuation of the score lines 9 which define the side wall flaps 6 and 6a from the body section 2. closure securing flaps 23 and 23a are hinged to the side wall securing flaps 6 and 6a respectively along the score lines 25 which continue from each end of the score line 2| to the side edge of the blank. The securing flaps 23 and 23a defined by the respective score lines 24 and 25 provide means for adhesively securing the closure section A to the closure section B, as will hereafter more particularly be described. Paired score lines 21 extending from each end of the score line 2| traverse the closure section B and define the side edges of the closure flap 29. The paired score lines 21 preferably incline inwardly so as to define triangular shaped portions 22 and 22a between each of the score lines 21 and the adjacent score line 24.

A strip of glue g is applied to either the complementary wing portions I5 and I50. or to the securing flaps 23 and 230. This strip of glue can be applied simultaneously with the application of glue to the side wall section 5 and 5a or to the securing flaps 6 and 6a of the container body. The securing flaps 23 and 23a of the end closure section B may be pressed into adhesive contact with the complementary wing portions l5 and We of the end closure section A at the time that the body-securing flaps 6 and 6a are pressed into adhesive contact with the side wall sections 5 and 5a. As thus assembled the container body and the adhesively secured closure sections A and B will appear as shown in Fig. 3.

The container assembled into the form shown in Fig. 3 may be stacked in nested relationship, as shown in Fig. '7, for shipment and storage purposes. When the containers are needed for use, the containers are separately withdrawn from their nested positions and filled with the contents. The container may be filled up to the top edge score lines 29, H and 2|, or, if desired, slightly above this mark since the top closure when completely closed presents a containing space therein as will be evident by referring to Figs. 5 and 6.

Closing and sealing of the top closure may be effected as follows: The side flap portions I 9 Top and I (la hinged to the respective side wall sections 5 and 5a are pressed inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, which operation folds the wing portions l3 and lia and I5 and |5a and the triangular shape portions l2 and IN and 22 and 22a inwardly. In this position the triangular portion l2 and the wing portion l3 will seat against the top edge portion of the inside face of the front or rear wall closure flap 8. Likewise, the triangular portion 22a, the securing tab 23a and the adjacent wing portion l5a will seat against the top-edge of the inside face of the closure flap 20. The inside face of the other triangular portion |2a and the wing portion Ila will seat against the top edge of the inside face of the wing portion I5 and the triangular portion 22. When thus assembled the arrangement of the top wall closure will be such as to present a substantially Z-shaped configuration, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

If inward pressure is now brought to bear on the front and rear wall closure flaps 8 and It, the upper edge of the wing portion l5 and the triangular portion 22 will fold against the upper edge of the wing portion l3 and the triangular portion I 2, and in the same manner the upper edge of the wing portion I and the triangular portion In will fold against the upper edge of the wing portion l5a and the triangular portion 22a, in the form shown in Fig. 5. The upper edges of the closure sections A and B are so cut that when the closure portions are collapsed as shown in Fig. 5, the closure will present a sub-- stantially straight top edge. The closure can now f be sealed in any well known manner, as, for example, by stitching 50 extending along the top edge of the closure. It is also understood that a sealing strip formed either of paper or fibrous material may be secured over the top edge of the closure, as shown in Fig. 6. If a metal sealing clip 55, as shown in Fig. 6, is used, the lower edge 56 of the U-shaped sealing clip may be crimped inwardly so as to bite into the paperboard material and thus provide a substantially liquid-tight seal. It is understood that the top edge of the closure may also be sealed by applying staples or other securing means. A sealing gum may also be applied to the top edge of the closure to seal the same. It will be noted in this connection that there are no cuts or other openings in the various portions forming the closure and that when the top edge of the closure is sealed through a convenient sealing means, the container becomes substantially liquid-tight.

When the top closure portions are moved into closed position, the fold formed by wing portions l3 and I5 enters in nesting relation into the fold formed by closure flap 8, triangular portion I21:-

and wing portion l3a. Similarly, the fold formed by wing portions I30 and I50 enters into nestrelation with the fold formed by closure flap 20 and triangular portion 22. When the closure is completed, the folds referred to above overlap and the side wall closures in and Illa mutually reenforce each other. Moreover, when the closure is completed, there is provided a top portion in the nature of a rib which is of uniform six-ply thickness throughout. This rib portion of uniform thickness is thus well suited for receiving a closure clip or staple or other securing means.

To open the container, I preferably provide a line of perforations 6| which extends around the top edge of the closure, which permits the upper portion of the closure to be torn off and the closure thus opened. With this arrangement it will be noted that the container cannot readily be resealed and thus access cannot be had to the contents without leaving visible evidence of tampering. It will also be noted that when the sealed container has been opened, the adjacent portions l3a and lid, as shown in Fig. 7, provide a convenient pouring spout through whichthe contents may be poured. It will be noted that this desirable feature is supplied without the necessity of providing additional elements or parts from which the pouring spout is formed.

If desired, and by way of modification, when the container is initially sealed, only one-half of the top closure may be sealed, namely, one-half or the foot and one-half of the diagonal of the z. Thereafter, the other half of the diagonal and the top of the 2 may be sealed in such a way as to be removable.

The container may be opened by opening the removable portion a of the seal whereby to release 20 one of the side folds b. This side fold can then be withdrawn and folded in a reverse manner to form a pouring spout. The container thus is partially closed at the top and has a' pouring spout c and a narrow triangular opening d at the top. The container can be partially closed by refolding the pouring spout c in a manner similar to that used in originally closing the container. When liquid is to be poured from the container again the loose pouring spout portion c can be opened by applying pressure to the top portion of the corresponding side wall. This arrangement permits the container, after having been opened, to be partially reclosed whereby to protect the contents from contamination or spillage.

The container is admirably adapted for the packaging of various materials either in liquid, semi-liquid, dry or granular condition. The container is well adapted for the packaging of lubricating oils for use in automobiles and also pro- ,v vides a convenient package for the marketing of milk and similar materials. In such case the capacity of the container would be such as to hold a pint, quart, gallon, or othermeasure of contents desired to be packed therein. 4

My improved container closure is adapted. to be applied to containers of any type having a tubular body formed of paperboard or similar flexible sheet material comprising four side walls arranged to form a body of generally rectangular cross-section. The container lends itself to manufacture substantially entirely by automatic machinery and at low cost, and can be made in numerous attractive designs and patterns to best contain and display the contents packed therein. I While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container including. a plurality of side walls forming a tubular body and side wall extensions extending from said side walls and adapted to form a closure, one pair of opposite side wall extensions being folded inwardly to form a truss over the adjacent end of the body and another pair of side wall extensions being interfolded and mutually overlapping under said truss. i

2. A container including, a plurality of side walls forming a tubular body of polygonal cros ssection and a plurality of closure flaps joined to said side walls respectively and to one another to form a band, at least two opposite closure flaps being folded inwardly to bridge the adjacent end of the container, and at least two other opposite flaps being collapsed inwardly under said bridge and wedged in diagonally opposite corners of said closure band.

3. A container including a plurality of side walls forming a tubular body and a plurality of closure flaps joined to said side walls respectively and to one another to form a band, at least two opposite closure fiaps being folded inwardly into proximity at their free ends to bridge the adjacent open end of the container, and at least two other opposite flaps being collapsed inwardly under said bridge and wedged in diagonally opposite corners of said closure band to form with said first-named fiaps a fin of collapsed Z-shape configuration.

4. A container comprising, a tubular body of rectangular cross-section, closure fiaps extending from the side Walls of said body, the free edges of one pair of opposite closure flaps being brought into proximity over the adjacent end of the body and the other pair of closure flaps being interfolded between the first pair of closure flaps and each extending in folded condition along the entire length of said first pair of closure flaps to provide a closure of at least six-ply thickness throughout its entire length.

5. A container comprising, a plurality of side walls joined together to form a tubular body, closure extensions extending from the one end of said body and joined at their upright edges to form a ring-like closure portion extending from said tubular body, at least two extensions being of greater height than the remaining two extensions and having fold lines therein, said extensions of lesser height being of greater total height than the distance across the end of said body whereby they can be folded inwardly to form a truss-like closure for said body, and said extensions of greater height being of sufiicient height whereby they can be folded inwardly in overlapping relation under said truss-like closure.

6. A container comprising in combination, a tubular body of rectangular cross-section, closure flaps extending from the side walls of said body, the free edges of one pair of opposite closure flaps beingbrought into proximity over the open end of the body and the other pair of closure flaps being interfolded between the first pair of closure fiaps and extending in folded condition along substantially the entire length of said first pair of closure flaps, said flaps being shaped to provide a fin-like closure wherein the free edges of all of said flaps are substantially flush and in the same plane.

7. A tubular container including, a body and a closure integrally formed therewith, said closure including a pair of opposite interfitting extensions arranged in overlapping relationship and a pair of opposite extensions extending over said overlapping extensions, said extensions together forming a closure of Z-shaped configuration.

v8. A container including, a tubular body and a closure all formed from a single blank of paperboard material, said closure including connected tapered sections, one pair of opposite sections being interfolded in overlapping relationship and another pair of opposite sections being arranged to extend over said interfolded sections.

9. A container including, a tubular body and a closure formed from a single blank of paperboard material, said closure including extensions projecting from the body side walls, one pair of opposite said extensions folding inwardly in overlapping interfitting relationship, another pair of opposite extensions being arranged exterior to said overlapping extensions, one of said overlapping extensions being unfoldable to provide a pouring spout for the container.

10. A container formed from a single blank of paperboard material comprising in combination, a tubular body and a closure including connected closure flaps integrally formed with and projecting from the top edge of said tubular body portion, one pair of closure flaps being folded inwardly in overlapping relationship and another pair of closure flaps being folded inwardly over said overlapping closure fiaps to form with said overlapping closure flaps a fin of collapsed Z- shaped configuration, and means for sealing the top edge of said closure flaps.

11. A closure for a tubular container integrally formed with the side walls thereof, said closure including, extensions projecting upwardly from the side walls of the container, one pair of opposite extensions being folded inwardly in interfitting overlapping relationship and another pair of opposite extensions extending over said firstnamed overlapping extensions, said extensions together forming a fin of Z-shaped configuration.

12. A container including, a tubular body and a closure therefor all formed from a single blank of paperboard material, said closure comprising a continuous band including opposite wall-forming portions and opposite web portions connecting the adjacent ends of said wall-forming portions, said web portions being folded inwardly and arranged in overlapping relationship between said wall-forming portions, and means for connecting said wall-forming portions to seal the container.

13. A container including, a tubular body and a closure comprising a continuous band extending from one end of said tubular body, said closure band including a pair of opposite extensions tapering inwardly and opposite collapsible extensions each of V-shaped configuration positioned between said tapered extensions, said V- shaped collapsible extensions being arranged in overlapping relationship.

HUTCHINSON S. HINKLE. 

